There is an inherent value in wisdom that seems to be placed there by God. That little something extra that does not come from a worldly source. It is otherworldly in its origin. Wisdom is almost an intuitive sixth sense that defies description. People know it when they see it and when they see it usually is paid respect or at least it is not taken lightly. I must say that most of the words or ideas in Proverbs 1:1-7 which begins the Book or Proverbs are quite similar but are not exactly the same. They all imply that wisdom is the ability to use knowledge correctly. There are many smart people in the word that lack any wisdom. We know as Christians that Christ is wisdom. The other additional comment on this passage as a whole that would like to make is that a Bible version or correct translation was critical for this exegesis. Paraphrased versions were lousy for this question. It needed to be a literal word for word translation like the NASB. The NIV really missed the boat on this in terms of the “terms”.
(1) In (v. 2) it says “instruction” implying that it has equal footing or comes with wisdom.
(2) Wisdom is also associated with “discerning the sayings of understanding”. You need to be able to understand or have enough insight of common sense to realize when you are having wisdom spoken of given to you audibly. The old saying is “When does a fool realize he is a fool?” Answer: Never, because he’s a fool.
(3) In (v. 3) we see the word instruction again in synonymy with wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity.
(3a) These primarily are terms that lend themselves to litigiousness or are handy in times of disparity or dispute. Righteousness in particular is a value vehemently sought after in the Bible as a defining and required virtue/value for Christians to attain and make part of their very being.
(4) (v. 4) Wisdom gives naïve people or makes naïve people prudent or a person who is either effective at application of wisdom (at the right time and the right place) or is good at judicious at dispensing/using it.
(4a.) It also allows youth to have discretion (I did not have much of this myself in my youth).
(5) (v. 5) Wisdom allows for a man to increase in knowledge. The smart get smarter & the wise will become wiser.
(5a) A wise person will not act like they are a “know-it-all” and realize they can benefit from advise from multiple sources or “constructive criticism”
(6) (v. 6) To understand proverbs and a figure or saying (Strong’s: H4426 “mliytsah”) or in this context perhaps figures of speech, veiled sarcasm or even a colloquialism or phrases of foreign lands that are enigmatic. As would be the case with Solomon who had people come from afar to seek his wisdom.
(7) Also, (v. 6) (Strong’s: H2420: “chiydah”) and dark sayings :riddles
(8) Of course the most valuable of all is that fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Wisdom and true knowledge originates from the Almighty. Because of this it is no surprise that fools are considered fools for despising wisdom and instruction.
One axiom about wisdom in particular that is not always true is that you will grow wise as you grow older no matter what. Not so. We need only look around in the world today (especially in the media) at middle-aged to elderly people routinely making fools out of themselves. They have no commonsense and routinely fail to discern between right and wrong properly. Age in no way guarantees wisdom anymore than youth guarantees immaturity. There are always exceptions, especially when it comes to wisdom. Wisdom is bestowed on those that seek the Lord...and THAT is smart at any age ;).
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